Right Quadriceps weakness after ACL reconstruction Surgery
Muscle wasting / Weakness
Muscle wasting OR atrophy OR weakness, is a secondary condition to a disease, injury, or no physical activity, making it difficult to move an arm or leg. Muscles waste away and look very thin or weak. Over time without regular movement, the arm or leg can start to appear smaller and thinner.
Muscle wasting is usually caused by lack of physical activity. However, some other reasons for muscles weakness can be:
Injuries, such as a torn rotator cuff or bone fractures.
Insufficient or No Rehabilitation after musculoskeletal surgeries.
Spinal cord or peripheral nerve injuries.
Stroke
Malnutrition
Pain and weakness in muscles due to excessive alcohol drinking over long periods of time (alcohol-associated myopathy)
Aging
Bedridden patient, unable to move certain body parts due to any medical condition
Physiotherapy plays a major role in the management of muscle wasting.
It can help with muscle weakness, since physiotherapy aims to improve and maximize function. This includes optimizing the physical abilities through movement and exercise.
Even if patients can’t actively move certain joints in their body, they can still do exercises wearing a splint or brace.
Physiotherapy can:
Improve muscle strength
Encourage patients to move
Improve blood circulation
Prevent contracture
Improve and maintain joint integrity
Increase independence
Decrease pain
Improve walking ability and overall quality of life
What Type of Physiotherapy Treatments can help in Muscle wastings?
There are a variety of modalities which can be used to treat patients who have muscle weakness. The treatment selection is chosen upon the outcome of the assessment and the clinical judgment of an experienced Physiotherapist. Some of the treatments may include
Strengthening exercises
Stretching exercises
Mobility rehabilitation
Functional Faradic Stimulation
METs ( Muslce energy techniques)
PNFs (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation)
Coordination & Balance with dual task, trainings.
